It's A Shame That Joe Burrow Isn't Even In The MVP Discussion Because Of How Bad His Team Sucks

One of my favorite sports media debates to laugh at, among the many, is bringing up someone who's playing well and arguing if they should be "in the MVP conversation". Most times these debates go on for one too many TV blocks, starting with one side emphatically saying to put respect on x player's name, while ending that he doesn't have a realistic chance to win the award, but should be at least part of the discussion.

Whatever the fuck that means. Just say he's playing well.

As I maniacally follow this league I love, scrolling the MVP odds on my offshore sportsbook, tuning in to the MVP discussion debates on TV despite my bitching cause I'm a coward who can't say no to football, I find myself angered about the discussion. Angered on behalf of my friend who equally deserves and doesn't deserve to be a part of the discussion - derserving because of his play, not deserving because of the play of others. So while no one will mention him, here's my ode to one of my favorite players.

I mean damn. No wonder why the Bengals are the gays around the world's favorite team.

As breathtaking as people of all genders may find Joe Shiesty, his play on the field this year is equally as spine-tingling.

Through 12 weeks, these are Joey B's ranks among NFL QBs who've played enough snaps/games to be considered MVP eligible (according my proprietary algorithm):

• Joe Burrow NFL QB rank for yards – 2nd

• Joe Burrow NFL QB rank for TDs – 1st

• Joe Burrow NFL QB rank for (least) INTs – 3rd

• Joe Burrow NFL QB rank for Passing Rating – 3rd

• Joe Burrow NFL QB rank for QBR – 2nd

• Bengals offense points per game ranking – 6th

There's many grading scales to determine the best QB, but no matter what equation you use, one or two or three or all of those stats/metrics are found in your formula. When looking at it in a vaccuum, you'd assume a player with these numbers is either at or near the front of the MVP race. Yet Joe Cool is nowhere to be found; a mere afterthought.

How you ask? Because of the most important stat when it comes to the MVP race:

• Bengals Wins - 4 - 21st

The MVP has always had a contingency that your team wins a minimum of 10 games, arguably more, to be eligible. I don't totally disagree, as being valuable in a losing effort feels like less value than being valueable in a winning effort.

It just sucks for Burrow. In the Bengals seven losses, Joe and the Bengals offense have averaged 26.3 PPG. For reference, the league median this year is 22.2 PPG. He's thrown for 308 YPG, 18 TDs and 2 INTs. In seven losses!!

Meanwhile, his defense has allowed on average 32.4 PPG in those losses, with opposing offenses averaging 392 YPG and cumulatively committing just 5 turnovers, 3 of which came against the Chiefs.

Football is the ultimate team game. Success only comes when all three phases (obligatory shoutout to special teams) are playing well and doing their job. The Bengals offense is electric. Jamarr and Joe are as dynamic a duo as we've seen since Brady/Moss. They move the ball, put points on the board, and give their team a chance to win week in and week out. They're must see TV. But they can only do so much. They can't make kicks. They can't pressure the QB, breakup passes, or offer help as their defense gets mauled in the trenches to the tune of 145 rushing YPG in their 7 losses. They can only buckle their chin strap and hope they have the ball last.

And to be fair, they've had that opportunity more than once this year. They've held double digit second half/fourth quarter leads against the Ravens twice, including having a two-point try to win, had the Chargers on their heels before skidding out inside the two minute warning, and had the ball late in the Chiefs and Patriots games with a chance to ice and win it. So while I'm still throwing the Joe Burrow pity party, I'm also not saying he's perfect.

I'm not claiming Joe is definitively the best QB in football, or that he deserves to be the MVP. You do need to win games to get that honor. I'm saying that it's crazy he isn't being talked about, that he doesn't get to be talked about. That he's 40-1 to win the award despite arguably playing the best of anyone at his position. That the Bengals are one of the most fun teams in the league, and the playoffs without them, without one of the league's best playing the best he's ever played, feels wrong.

Life isn't fair. Football isn't fair. But I notice you Joe, even if I'm the only one.

Maybe this is the football gods punishing you for the bleached hair.